Egg_x Posted April 16, 2014 Share Posted April 16, 2014 Hi all, we're setting up our coop over the weekend ready for new chooks next week! It's a used coop so I wondered how best I should clean it? Do I need to do anything in particular to it? Perhaps worth mentioning it's wood, can't afford a lovely Eglu just yet Any help would be appreciated! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beantree Posted April 16, 2014 Share Posted April 16, 2014 Do you know when it was last used Laura? I would say a scrub out with Poultry Shield should be sufficient. Don't use anything like Jeyes Fluid as the fumes will come out of the wood and are very toxic. Does the exterior need sealing? We use Cuprinol Garden Shades. Bought a tin of 'dark cherry' which looked a bit bright at first but dried to be quite u"Ooops, word censored!"trusive. Two coats. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egg_x Posted April 16, 2014 Author Share Posted April 16, 2014 Do you know when it was last used Laura? I would say a scrub out with Poultry Shield should be sufficient. Don't use anything like Jeyes Fluid as the fumes will come out of the wood and are very toxic. Does the exterior need sealing? We use Cuprinol Garden Shades. Bought a tin of 'dark cherry' which looked a bit bright at first but dried to be quite u"Ooops, word censored!"trusive. Two coats. It can't of been too long ago as when we collected it still had straw etc. in it! I'll get buying some poultry shield as a starting point then, not sure if it needs sealing... I guess it wouldn't harm to do that as well whilst we're at it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mimi5 Posted April 16, 2014 Share Posted April 16, 2014 Personally I'd be worried about red mite I suffered them in a wooden coop........that drove me to buying a cube! I would get some total kill mite (pink stuff) and treat it with that as a preventative.....then if you do get red mite you can treat straight away!!!! Also a good airing in sunlight would be good Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beantree Posted April 16, 2014 Share Posted April 16, 2014 Reason asked Laura was I considered the presence of red mite. They can sit dormant in a coop for up to two years I've read (but haven't experienced, only 6 months). I don't know how long you have until you get your chickens and it is probably too short a time to apply creosote inside and get it dry. But when you clean it, best turn it upside down to get fluid into the cladding joints. If you see any crawlies coming out they could be red mite which poultry shield won't kill. Then you will need something stronger and we use Smite and Nettex. When all this has dried, then you can paint the outside. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egg_x Posted April 16, 2014 Author Share Posted April 16, 2014 Personally I'd be worried about red mite I suffered them in a wooden coop........that drove me to buying a cube! I would get some total kill mite (pink stuff) and treat it with that as a preventative.....then if you do get red mite you can treat straight away!!!! Also a good airing in sunlight would be good I wish I'd joined the forum before buying the coop as red mite was something I started learning about straight away on here (such a wealth of information!!) but unfortunately even I wanted one, I can't afford an Eglu just yet... perhaps once I prove to my boyfriend what great pets they make we'll be able to invest Is the total kill mite called that? Sorry for the dumb question, want to make sure I pick up the right stuff!! At least we have some good weather this week, I'll get it outside straight away. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egg_x Posted April 16, 2014 Author Share Posted April 16, 2014 Reason asked Laura was I considered the presence of red mite. They can sit dormant in a coop for up to two years I've read (but haven't experienced, only 6 months). I don't know how long you have until you get your chickens and it is probably too short a time to apply creosote inside and get it dry. But when you clean it, best turn it upside down to get fluid into the cladding joints. If you see any crawlies coming out they could be red mite which poultry shield won't kill. Then you will need something stronger and we use Smite and Nettex. When all this has dried, then you can paint the outside. We had originally planned to get them this weekend but decided to push back to give us time to get sorted - taking all this advice on board as well probably wise we wait a bit and get it right... don't want my first experience of hen keeping to be marred by fending off bugs!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mimi5 Posted April 16, 2014 Share Posted April 16, 2014 Total kill mite is by nettex and it really is pink!!!! (in a clear spray bottle!) Actually, I'm a big fan of all their products I bought my cube new...but also have classic which I bought second hand from a well known auction site! I guess if the wooden one hasn't cost a fortune, as you say if you really get on with hen keeping....then keep an eye out and invest, you'll not regret it, the eglu cube and classic coops are great!!!! Happy cleaning Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gavclojak Posted April 16, 2014 Share Posted April 16, 2014 Yes, as mimi5 said I would keep an eye on the auction sites, maybe after the summer as that's when you are more likely to pick up a bargain. The Go's are usually a little cheaper than the classic.....I have to say I do love my makes cleaning soooooo easy peasy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egg_x Posted April 16, 2014 Author Share Posted April 16, 2014 Thanks for advice all! Ordered some cleaning stuff as recommended so will see how I get on whilst also watching out for an Eglu Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
